Want to know where both my grandfather and grandmother grew up in Kishinev, perhaps to find their original homes. They both left Kishinev before the revolution of 1917, and I’m guessing between 1914-1916. Planning a trip there.

I have seen this name as Soroca and Soroki, all of which seem to be the same place. My family has lived here in Denver, Colorado, USA, since 1890.

I am writing to find out whether there is any memory of a family named GASS (not changed) in Soroky. Is there a Jewish cemetery with any records of such a name? Or town statistics or synagogue records — or anything that may record this name?

The reason for my inquiry is that the only document that ties my grandfather to roots in the Soroky area is a postcard addressed to my Grandfather, Joseph Gass, in Yiddish, from Soroca, Bessarabia, dated in 1939, from a person named Etel Gass, who identified herself as the widow of my Grandfather’s brother, Jacob Gass. She said she had visited her husband’s and father-in-law’s graves. I do not know whether the graves were in Soroca, or not.

My Grandfather
If anyone knows of these people — or has any clues as to how I might find out — please let me know. I have been doing much research, but cannot trace this branch of my family without information from Moldava. The other towns of which I know are Moglilev Podolskij and Kaminetz Podolskij. My Grandfather’s mother was earlier married to a man named PELLISH or PELISCH. We believe her name was Rachel, but have no idea where she died.

The GASS and PELLISH family immigrated first to Liverpool, England, and then to the USA (and some to Argentina).
Please let me know if you have any sources for the records that I seek.
Thank you very much.
Alan Golin Gass, FAIA

Description: Date added: 9/14/2005 My grandfather, Lazar This is an update with new email of previous post with updated email address.(Louis)Weitzman, and his wife Sheva (Sophie)Weitzman (Pisnoy) came to the USA in 1921. They had a son Feivel (Philip) who was my father who was born in 1914 or 1916 and passed away 2 years ago. My grandmother told us the story of hiding under the bed with my father when the soldiers were fighting in the house. If you are related, please contact Stan Weitzman